One of Tagum Cooperative’s advocacies is to create a greener world for the present and future generations which is also in line with the 13th Sustainable Development Goal “Climate Action”. As a response to this particular advocacy, Tagum Cooperative Sister Society members consisting of Officers and Employees became “Green Warriors” as they rose early to during the Ceremonial Planting at Tagum Cooperative’s Vegetable Garden located at La Fortuna, Malinawon, Brgy. La Filipina, Tagum City last November 24, 2021.
Tagum Coop Chairperson Dir. Noel O. Quidilla spoke about the importance of taking steps in protecting the environment such as the planting of more trees and other plants as it helps create a cleaner air for everybody. “We must be instruments in helping build a cleaner and greener community. That is one of our responsibilities. That’s why we are giving emphasis on this new milestone. This is a beginning for us in raising awareness on Climate Change issues through member and public education.” Dir. Quidilla says.
With the leadership of Chairperson Quidilla, Tagum Cooperative Officers were also filled with excitement to participate such as the Members of the Board of Directors, Dir. Monica L. Salido, Dir. Eduard C. Amoguis, Dir. Rosalina S. Argent and Dir. Rosamaria S. Torrejano; Committee Officers Mr. Darwin F. Suyat and Mr. Daniel S. Aguinaldo; Tagum Cooperative Treasurer Ms. Admarie D. Marcelo; and former Officer and fellow Sister Society member Ms. Milagros Guttierez. Chief Finance and Administrative Officer Ms. Judelyn A. Sanchez and Human Resource Management Department Manager Ms. Erlybeth F. Plaza together with a number of Tagum Cooperative employees also donned their gloves and participated in the planting activity.
Dir. Monica Salido recalls a brief history of the plot of land in La Fortuna. “In the 1980s, the original plan for this place was to become a coconut oil mill because of the abundance of coconuts. Today, the planting of vegetables is not the final form but since we are in the pandemic, we need to provide assistance to the community. The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) gave us a go signal to use a part of the Community Development Fund (CDF) to develop an area like this for the community. This is not for business but for community development.” Dir. Salido states. Further stating that the realization of such a dream is not only an effort of one person but the collective effort of the cooperation of Officials, Management and Staff, Members, the Government, especially the Local Government Unity of Tagum City.
Representatives from the City Agriculture Office accompanied the green warriors in planting various vegetables such as lettuce; tomatoes, okra and eggplant, which will help encourage members to also start planting in their own homes or their plot of lands.
City Councilor Ronald S. Eliot expresses gratitude to Tagum Cooperative’s concern for the environment. “Tagum City also promotes good agricultural practices. Also, through the Tagumpay Gulayan Program the local government can promote planting of vegetables in one’s own yard. We also intend to impart knowledge on our fellow Tagumenos as well as Tagum Coop members the importance of planting healthy organically-sourced food,” Councilor Eliot states.
Other government personnel who graced the event were Mr. Emelio Baguio representing Tagum City Mayor Hon. Allan L. Rellon; Ms. Jo Ann Valdez representing Tagum City Vice Mayor Atty. Eva Lorraine E. Estabillo; City Agriculturist Engr. Harold Dawa; HVCDP Coordinator CAGRO Mr. Jerson Sobrevilla; Ms. Josephine Conception; CAGRO Head Forrester Mr. Michael Tradio; and CAGRO personnel Ms. Genny Rose Sosas, Richie Barabat and Pedro Ajos.
Tagum Coop Sister Society members wore their pink scarf as a symbol of the Sister Society movement which is affiliated with the Global Women Leadership Network (GWLN) and are not representing any political candidate.